Attractions

Market House

Standing on its 16 pillars in the heart of town, Ledbury's superb Market House is probably the best example of its kind in England. This grade 1 listed building, built in 1617, was originally used for the storage of grain, wool and hops. It's build has been attributed to the king's carpenter, John Abel. In the present day it hosts markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

St Michael's has been described as the premier parish church of Herefordshire. Dating back to 1140 the site of the church was originally Saxon and was mentioned in the Doomsday Book (1086).

As you walk up Church Lane you'll see the church's spire rising skywards.

Church Lane

The much filmed and photographed Church Lane is for many visitors their favourite Ledbury experience. With cobbles underfoot and flanked by overhanging medieval buildings it provides an atmospheric experience that takes you back to days long gone.

Leading from the Market House up the parish church the lane is home to two museums and a medieval painted room, a real ale pub and tea rooms.

Painted Room

A mysterious building in Church Lane with frescoes painted on the walls by an unknown artisan from the C16th in imitation of wall-hangings that existed in the great mansions of the period.

A tourist guide in Tudor costume is present to give a talk about this most unusual and unique building.

Opens 11.30am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday from the beginning of March and from 11.00am to 4.00pm (April to end October); Saturdays 11.00am to 4.00pm (end of May to end of September); Sundays 1-4pm (end May to end September) and Bank Holidays from 1.00pm to 4.00pm subject to availability- Tel: 01531 632306

This small museum in Church Lane is a C16th house that originally stood in the middle of Ledbury's High Street. The museum houses reproduction helmets and breastplates as worn in the Battle of Ledbury (1645), Victorian costumes and various Victorian folk curiosities.

The museum is open daily from 11am to 5pm from 25th March to the end of September and from 11am to 3pm in October.

Located off the High Street next to St Katherine's car park, the hall is often used for markets and sales, while the recently renovated Master's House is home to the library and Info in Herefordshire.

St Katherine's Chapel has a communion service at 10.30am each Friday. Otherwise it is open to the public on Heritage Open Days. Interested groups can request access to the chapel in advance by contacting its caretaker Peter Heaton.

Below is a list of festivals, fayres and fringe events close to Ledbury in order of the dates they occur during the year. There's something for everyone - classical music, arts, literature, photography, steam rallies, film and popular music.

Ledbury Poetry Festival reaches its 21st year this July (2017) with live readings, performances, workshops, open mics, music, exhibitions, films, family events, street events, a slam and much more. This ten day event hosts world class poets and has a truly international flavour.

With very few high street chain stores, but a diversity of independent shops and cafes, Ledbury's high street offers a unique and vibrant shopping experience that is admired by visitors far and wide.

As well as several gift shops, excellent cafes, antique and bookshops Ledbury offers a handmade chocolate shop, a shopping mall of independent retailers, a jewellery designer, a local cider and perry shop and no less than three high street butchers, three delicatessens, two Polish food stores, two local bakers and an artisan ice cream parlour and Intenet cafe that doubles up as Ledbury Tourist Information.

You can get all your everyday shopping needs in Ledbury's high street - fresh food and veg, freshly baked bread, butchered meat and fresh fish twice a week from Max the Nordic fishmonger.

You can shop for your hardware needs at several competing shops; there are also clothes shops, shoe shops, chemists, newsagents, stationers and a discount store selling home and garden goods. At either end of Ledbury's main shopping drag are two national supermarkets and at Ledbury's edge of town retail areas you can find electrical and furnture traders as well as Homebase and Countrywide stores.

Markets

Ledbury also has markets under the Market House on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Saturday is the busier market day where you can buy local french bread, tasty cheeses, organic vegetables, garden plants and local arts and crafts. Max the fishmonger is there on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Ledbury Country Market takes place every Friday at St Katherine's Hall in the High Street from 8.30 to 12 noon.

Ledbury Farmers Market takes place in the High Street on the fourth Friday of every month.

Kempley Produce Market - on the second Saturday of every month.

Antiques & Collectables Flea Market takes place every most Tuesdays at St Katherine's Hall from March to December, and on Saturdays from May to September.

A few times a year Ledbury High Street hosts Friday international markets: